Road-grader.



A. FRY.

ROAD GRADER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20. I914.

1,175,430. Patented Mar. 14,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.-

wi/tmeoow A. FRY.

ROAD GRADER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20, 1914.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.. \VASHlNulum, u.

A FRY.

ROAD GRADER.

' APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20, 1914. 1,175,430. Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

' 3 SHETSSHEET 3.

Q Q N g P co., WASHINGTON, n. c.

ALBERTLZERY, OF EVANS, COLORADO.

Roan-cannula.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

Application filed October 20, 1914. Serial No. 867,615.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT FRY, citizen of the United States, residing at Evans, in the county of Weld and State'of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Road-Graders, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has relation to implements designed most especially for leveling, surfacing, and grading roads. and has for its object to provide a machine embodying a supporting structure, such as a wheel frame, having a long-wheelbase and a drag or road surfacing device mounted upon such frame in a manner to be adjusted vertically,'angularly and horizontally, such device being secured to the supporting frame by flexible connections, thereby avoiding the objections inc dent to rigid connections.

The invention has for its object to provide a supporting structure having a comparatively long bed; thereby permitting of large loads of material and accessories being carried without impeding .or detractingfrom the functions of the machine as a. road grader or surfacer.

A further purposeof the invention is the provision of a machinein which the .road

surfacing device is adjustable vertically at either end to adapt the inachine to the camber of the road.zwhile at the sametime admitting of the devicebeing adjusted to any angular position with reference to the line of draft. i

The invention also has for its object to provide a drag or road surfacing and grading device of novel and peculiar form, the same ,cmbodyin g a plurality of blades which are connected in series to admit of the device being adjusted asa unit. said blades having corresponding ends inclinedand fit ted with plows to act upon the side of the road, such plows being adjustable to admit of varying the slope to be given to the sides of the road. 7 d V The invention also has for its object to connect the drag or road surfacing device withithe supporting frame in a manner to compensate for side draft with the result that the machine is caused to run steadily and whollv free from jerky movements fore stated,iwhich in operation will. remove which ordinarily would tend to produce shock and jolt.

A further object of the invention is to devise an implement of the .nature hereinbethehigh places in thesurface of a road and fill low places, thereby leveling the road at one operation with surfacing and grading.

The invention also has for its object to provide a machine for leveling, surfacing and grading roadswhich is, at all times, under control of the driver, and is readily responsive to the manually operable adjusting meansso that the several parts may be set without requiring the operator to leave his seat upon the machine.

It is to be understood that the machine in its special construction is susceptibleof other advantages which will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combinations of parts which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the drawings attached hereto, and subsequently claimed.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a perspective view of themachine for surfacing.leveling. and grading roads constructed in ac cordance with the invention, parts being broken away. Fig. 2 is atop plan View, parts being broken away. Fig. 3 is a vertical central longitudinal section on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail view of an end of a blade, the rear strip and plow the parts being separated.

Correspondingand like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The device for operating upon thesurface of the road for leveling, grading and surfacing may be properly designated as a drag, and in the present instance comprises a plurality of blades 5, whicharepreferably arranged in parallel relation and rigidly connected by means ofbrackets '13 so as to form a substantial structure. Itis to be understood that the drag may comprise any numberof blades 5 and the latter may be of any material, metal plates beingpreferred. Corresponding ends of the blades 5 are deflected or inclined, as indicated at 49, such deflected ends being designed to operate upon the sides ofthe road. Strips 14 are fitted to the loweredges of the blades 5 and sustain the wear. The strips 14 are adiustable vertically andrare retained inthe adjusted position, bymeans of bolts or fastenings l6 whichpass'through, vertical slots 15 formed in the lower edge portions of the blades 5. The strips 14 are preferably of steel and their lower faces are broad in contra-distinction to cutting edges so as to compress the surface of the road to prevent water from readily penetrating the same.

The strips 14 constitute in effect wear elements and are adapted to be replaced when worn. As shown, the strips 14 extend along the lower edges of the inclined or deflected portions 49 of the blades 5. The brackets 13 are formed with depending portions 13 which are bolted or otherwise secured to the rear sides of the blades 5. These brackets may be formed in'any manner and are usually constructed of bar or strap iron bent into the shape substantially as shown.

It is to be understood that a plow may be fitted to the inclined end 49 of each of the blades 5, although, in practice, it has been found sufficient if one of such inclined ends 49 be equipped with a-plow which may be adjusted to remove sod at the sides of the road, or adjusted for a deep cut and to provide the usual slope at the sides of the road for carrying off water. As illustrated, the inclined end 49 of the rearmost blade 5 is provided with a plow, the same consisting of a moldboard 29 and a plow share 30. The moldboard of the plow is adjustable as to depth and inclination by means of a bolt 32 and slot 32, the latter being formed in the moldboard. The share 30 is likewise adjustable and is secured in the adjusted position by means of bolts or fastenings' 31 which pass through slots 31 formed in the moldboard. A brace 34 connects the upper corner portion of the plow with the blade 5 immediately in advance. This brace is so arranged as not to interfere with the vertical or angular adjustments of the plow. A second brace 33 is secured at one end to the straight portion of the blade 5 carrying the plow, and the opposite end of such brace 83 is adjustably. connected to the outer portion of the plow beyond the inclined end 49 of the blade 5 by means of the outermost fastening 31. It is noted that the construction is such as to admit of the plow being adjusted vertically and angularly. or both, according to the nature of the side portion of the .road when finished.

The drag or road surfacing device is mounted upon a supporting frame, preferably of the wheel type, such supporting frame approximating the running gear of a wagon. As indicated in the drawings. the

supporting frame comprises fore and hind trucks. A and B,-respectivelv, a reach C and a bed D. The forward truck Ais connected with the reach andbed by means vof a kingbolt 50, the parts being of ordinary construction and arranged to admit of the machine being properly steered. .A cross-bar 7 is pivotally connected to the bed D of the supporting frame, and is angularly adjustable, and is held in the required adjusted position by means of a pin 9 passing through an opening formed in an end portion of the cross-bar 7 and entering one of a series of openings 9' formed in the bed D. Forked standards 6 are mounted upon end portions of the cross bar 7 and have a swivel connection therewith so as to turn freely about vertical axes. A lever 1 is mounted in the fork of each of the standards 6. A chain 2 or like flexible connection forms part of the connecting means between the drag or road surfacing device and the rear end of a lever 1. The connections 2 are adjustable and admit of either end of the drag or road surfacing device being adjusted vertically independently of'the opposite end. A pair of chains 2" connect corresponding end-portions of the blades 5. A ring 3 has the inner ends of the chains 2? attached thereto, and such ring receives the lower portion of the vertical chain 2. Each of the chains 2 is provided at its free end with a book 4 both of the levers 1. Each of the levers 1, is

held in the; required adjusted position by means of a vertically disposedtoothed bar 11 which is secured at its lower end to the bed D, as indicated at 12. The lever l is provided with'a long pawl or catch 10 to engage the required tooth of the bar 11. A holder 48 is attached to each of the levers 1 in a manner to be thrown into or out of engagement with the toothed bar 11, thereby securing the lever in the adjusted position and preventing accidental disengagement of the pawl 10 from a tooth of the'bar 11. The holder 48 has a pivotal connection with the lever to admit of its movement so as to enpivotally connected to the bed D of the supporting frame. lVhen the cross-bar7 is an gularly adjusted the levers 1 are correspondingly moved, hence the advantage of providing the long pawls or catches 10, so as'to insure engagement of such pa'wls with the teeth'of the bars 11 in any adjusted position of the levers 1, resulting'from turning the cross bar 7 about its vertical axis'8.

Flexible connections'such as chains 25 are interposed between end portions of the drag and end portions of the axle of the hind truck B. The flexible connections 25 cross intermediate of their ends so that the connection, 25 attached at its frontvend to the right hand portion of the drag is attached at its rear end to the lefthand portion of the rear axleand the other connection secured at its front end to the left-hand portionpf the drag isattached at its rear end ,to,the right-hand portion of the rear axle. The flexible connections 25 are adapted to be lengthened or, shortened, according to the relative adjustment of the drag. A ring 2% is fitted to the rear portion of each of the outermost brackets 13 and the forward portion ofeach of the flexible connections 25 passes through. the ring and is extended backward and adjustablv connected with linksofthechains or flexible connections 25, by means of hooks 26. This arrangement ofutheconnections 25 as well as having such connections made flexible, results in neutralizing any tendency to side draft to which themachine may be subjected when in service.

Forthe sake of illustration it is assumed that the right-hand portion of the drag is subjected to side draft tending to move the drag to theleft hand side of the road. This tendency to side draft results in relaxing the strain upon the right-hand connection 25 and in increasing the strain upon the lefthand connection 25. The result i that the right-hand wheel of the truck B is caused to move forward, thereby counteracting the tendency to side draft ,upon the drag. The reverse of this action takes place when the left hand portion of the drag is subjected towside draft, the left hand connection 25 being relaxed and the right hand connection 25 subjected to a pulling force which operates to throw the left-hand wheel of the truck B forward so as to neutralize the tendency of the drag to move from normal position by the side draft action. As a result of this action, of the connections 25, which constitute rear stays for the drag, the machine is caused to run steadily and is free from jerky movements wh ch would tend to produce ridges in the surface of the road by the unsteady movements of the drag.

The draft attachment between the drag and supporting frame embodies a hook 19 which, by preference, is attached to the forward truck by means of the king bolt 50. A hitch 21 of L-form is pivotally connected by means of its vertical member to the foremost blade 5 of the drag near the lower edge of such blade, the horizontal portion of such hitch extending over the blade 5 and having a clevis 20 fitted thereto. A ring 18 is attached to the clevis 20. A chain 17 is connected at one end to the ring 18 and is engaged at its opposite end by means of the hook 19. the free end of such chain being provided with a hook which is adapted to engage links of the chain to admit of lengthening or shortening the chainso that the rear position of thedragmaybe varied.

is secured at its-ends to the blade 5 by means of bolts or like fastenings 22 Braces 23,,are attached at their rear ends to the intermediate bracket 13 and are secured at their forward ends to the keeper 22.and forward blade 5 by means of the'bolts'22 In the operation of the machine, the same may be propelled overtheroad in any suitable way. The comparatively long-wheel base of the supporting frame provides for ample adjustment of the drag and alsoenables the successful useiof the variousiiexible connections, besides providing an extended length of bed for receiving alarge load without interfering in any manner with the operating and adjusting devices. The adjustable connection 17 admits of the drag being moved forward to a greater .Or less extent which may be of advantage when changing the rear inclination of the drag to meet certain requirements necessitated by the particular work in'hand. The flexible connections or stays 25 provide for lengthening or shortening of such stays to adapt the same to the position and relative inclination of the drag. It is also noted that the several connecting means between the.

drag-and supporting structure being of a flexible nature admit of the drag conforming to the nature of the surface of the road without producing any strain such aswould result by the employment of rigid connections.

It is further noted that the angular adjustment of the drag isetfected by turning the cross bar 7 about its pivotal connection 8 and the adjustment of such cross bar does not affect the operation of the levers 1 since the same being supported upon the crossbar 7 moves therewith. hen the sides of the road are to be operated upon lightly, the plow may be adjusted to cut shallow and when the sides of the road are t be sloped. the plow may be corres ondingly adjusted to the required depth. The machine in its travel in one direction operatesupon one side of the road and when traveling in the opposite direction completes the operation up n the other side of the road.

The drawings illustrate and the foregoing description refers to one embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that in adapting the invention to meet varying conditions such changes in the form. pro-por tion and minor details of construction may be resorted to as are embodied within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the nature of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a machine of the character set forth,

rearwardly beyond the rearmo-st member,

connecting means between the drag and supporting frame, and flexible stays crossing between their ends and adjustably connecting oppositeends of the drag with oppositeslde portions of the supporting frame, said stays being attached at their forward ends to the rear end of the outermost of said bracket connections joining the drag memhere. 7

j 2. In a machine of. the character set forth,

the combination of a supporting frame, an

,angularly adjustable membermounted upon the supporting frame, a transversely arranged drag below the supporting frame and in rear of said angularly adjustable member, levers swiveled upon opposite end portions of the angularly adjustable member and projecting longitudinally of the frame forwardly and rearw'ardly beyond said member, adjustable suspending members connecting the rear ends of said levers and opposite end portions of the drag, and means mounted upon the supporting frame to directly engage the front ends of the levers and hold the samein a vertically adjusted'positionand permitfree longitudinal movement thereof with the angularly adjustable member.

3. In a machine of the character set forth and in combination with the supporting frame and transversely arranged drag, an angularly adjustable member mounted upon the supporting frame, levers mounted upon opposite end portions of the angularly adjustable member, connections between said levers and opposite end portions of the drag, toothed bars erected upon the sup porting frame'and spaced from the angularly adjustable member and long pawls disposed longitudinally upon the sides of the levers and adapted to engage the toothed bars and maintain engagement therewith without interfering with the freemov'ement of the levers with the angularly adjustable member.

I 4. In a machine of the variety set forth, i and in combination .with the supporting frame and transversely arrangeddrag,"an angularly adjustable member mounted upon the supporting frame, levers mounted upon oppositeend portions of the angularly adustable member, connection between said and toothed bars to hold the latter in engagement with the pawls in any adjusted position of the levers without interfering with the free movement of said adjustable member. 5 V

5. In a machine of the character specified,

the combination of a supportingframe, a

transversely arranged drag, connecting means to admit of vertical and angular adjustment of the drag, a centrally disposed hitch of L-form having its vertical member swiveled to the back of the drag-and its horizontal member projecting forwardly over the drag, and a flexible draft device connecting the'front end of thehitch .with the supporting frame.

6. In a machine of the character specia plurality of spaced members, a bracket connection between such members, an L- shaped hitch, a keeper connecting the hitch with a member of the drag, braces between the bracket connection and opposite end P. W. ALLEN, F. A. NIMS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

7 Washington, D. C.

angularly' 8O fied,tl1e combination ofa drag, comprising 

